The owners of Stena Impero, a British-flagged oil tanker seized by Iran this month, said on Saturday that Indian, Russian and Philippine embassy officials met crew members from their respective countries and reported that they were in good health.

Owners of seized British-flagged oil tanker say crew is in good health

Britain said Iran seized two oil tankers in the Gulf on Friday (July 19) and told Tehran to return the vessels or face consequences in the latest confrontation to ratchet up tension along a vital international oil shipping route. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had captured the British-flagged Stena Impero, announcing the move two weeks after the British navy seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said the second vessel, the British-operated Mesdar, had not been seized. It said the ship had been allowed to continue its course after being given a warning over safety and environmental issues.

UK: Seizure of tanker is not acceptable at all

Iran seizes British oil tanker, Indians among 23 crew members on board

Britain said Iran seized two oil tankers in the Gulf on Friday (July 19) and told Tehran to return the vessels or face consequences in the latest confrontation to ratchet up tension along a vital international oil shipping route. New visuals of the incident have been released now by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. In an exclusive conversation with WION, the British High Commission to India has said that the UK has been deeply concerned over Iran's activities in the Persian Gulf. The High Commission said that UK ships have been advised to stay out of the Strait of Hormuz for an interim period.

Watch: Iran taking control of UK ship

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Friday (July 19) they had captured a British-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf after Britain seized an Iranian vessel this month, ratcheting up tension along a vital international oil shipping route. Britain said it was urgently seeking information about the Stena Impero after the tanker, which had been heading to a port in Saudi Arabia, suddenly changed course after passing through the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf. A second tanker, the British-operated Mesdar, also made a sharp change of direction in the Gulf around the same time. But the Guards made no mention of a second vessel. Relations between Iran and the West have become increasingly tense since British naval forces seized an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar on July 4 on suspicion of smuggling oil to Syria in breach of European Union sanctions.

Iranian forces: Seized British-flagged oil tanker in Gulf

In an exclusive conversation with WION, the British High Commission to India has said that UK has been deeply concerned over Iran's action in the Persian Gulf. The High Commission said that UK ships have been advised to stay out of the Strait of Hormuz for an interim period. This is after Iran seized British oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. Watch this video to know more.

WION Exclusive: UK ships advised to avoid Strait of Hormuz

Iran had vowed retaliation after seizure